Which place is cheaper, Bagan or Phuket?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Phuket or Bagan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Phuket or Bagan, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Phuket or Bagan?
Phuket
Phuket Island is the holiday gem of southern Thailand. Known for its beaches and resorts, the island brings in a massive amount of travelers from all over the world, year round. Although the beaches are beautiful, Phuket has also become more westernized and tourist-oriented in recent decades, leaving many travelers to venture elsewhere to find that amazing beach with a more authentic Thai vibe. However, Phuket Island is quite large, and hidden gems can still be found.
Bagan
Located in central Myanmar (formerly Burma), Bagan is an ancient city best known as the home to the largest and densest concentration of Buddhist temples, pagodas, stupas, and ruins in the world with many dating from the 11th and 12th centuries.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Thailand, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Thailand.
-
Phuket Prices
Thailand PricesBagan Prices
Myanmar Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPhuket $134Bagan $34
The average daily cost (per person) in Phuket is $134, while the average daily cost in Bagan is $34. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Phuket and Bagan in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPhuket $62Bagan $7.36
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPhuket $124Bagan $15
Compare Hotels in Phuket and Bagan
Looking for a hotel in Phuket or Bagan? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Phuket Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Phuket $12Bagan $3.57
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Phuket
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Phuket:
-
Longtail Taxi (for Two)$9.08
-
Taxi from Airport to Phuket Town$7.57
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Phuket
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Phuket:
- (Privet)Phuket Transfer: $17
- ATV Bike 1 hr + ziplines 30 platforms with Roundtrip Transfer: $158
- ATV Bike 1 hr+ Skyline Adventure 28 platforms with free Transfer: $132
- Airport Transfer: Phuket Airport HKT to Phuket by Business Car: $112
- Airport Transfer: Phuket to Phuket Airport HKT by Business Car: $112
- Andamanda Phuket Water Park Ticket Include Transfers: $79
- Andamanda Phuket Water Park Tickets with Transfers: $112
- Andamanda Water Park Phuket Entry Ticket with Hotel Transfers: $75
- Comfortable Ferry Transfer from Phuket to Phi Phi Island: $21
- Comfortable Private Phuket Airport to Hotel Arrival Transfer: $26
- Departure Private Transfers from Phuket City to Phuket Airport HKT: $123
- Departure Transfer: Phuket to Phuket Airport HKT by Business Car: $112
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bagan
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bagan:
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Bagan Nyaung-U Airport (NYU): $14
Is it cheaper to fly into Phuket or Bagan?
Prices for flights to both Bagan and Phuket change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
-
Food Meals for one dayPhuket $42Bagan $10
Typical Food Prices in Phuket
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Phuket:
-
Casual Dinner (for Two)$8.75
-
Casual Lunch (for Two)$5.14
-
Sit Down Dinner (for Two)$13
-
Thai Noodles$2.72
-
Bananas$0.76
-
Pizza (for Two)$9.08
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Phuket
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Phuket.
- One Day Experience Cooking at Phuket Patong Thailand: $28
- Authentic Peranakan Cooking Class & Tasting Menu in Phuket: $30
- Pum Thai Express Cooking Experience with Recipe Book: $37
- Old Town Food Tour | Travstore OG F.A.T: $45
- Siam Niramit Show with Optional Dinner: $47
- Siam Niramit Ticket with Round Transfer and Dinner: $50
- Elephant Experience with Lunch or Dinner and Pickup: $51
- Coral Island Catamaran Cruise with Sunset Dinner: $52
- Phuket 10+ Tastings Food Tour & Charming Old Town: $52
- Coral Island Catamaran Cruise with Sunset Dinner: $52
- Catamaran Sunset Cruise in Phuket with Dinner at Promthep Cape: $53
- Phuket Express Thai Cooking Course with Authentic Recipes: $53
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bagan
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bagan.
- Romantic Sunset Dinner At Bagan Viewing Tower: $91
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Phuket $47Bagan $57
Typical Entertainment Prices in Phuket
Here are a few typical costs in Phuket for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
-
One Day Boat Tour$27
-
Scuba Diving (Two Dives)$76
-
Thai Oil Massage$19
-
Surfboard Rental$9.08
Tours and Activities in Phuket
Here are a few actual costs in Phuket for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Phuket Self Guided Island Tour: $3.56
- Oto Indoor Play Park Entrance Ticket in Phuket: $7.84
- Adventure Village Chalong 1 Hour Entry Ticket | -10% OFF: $13
- Phuket Tour with Wat Chalong, Karon View Point, Old Town: $15
- Rock Beach Swing Entry Ticket: $15
- Feed Me Banana Elephant Experience Short Activity: $16
- Phuket City Tour & Scenic Viewpoints / Night Market: $17
- Phuket Old Town: Authentic Thai Costume Cultural Experience: $18
- Phuket Bird Park Admission Ticket: $18
- Half Day Phuket City tour + Hotel Pick Up and Drop Off: $19
- Simon Cabaret Show Phuket Admission E-Ticket: $20
- Phuket Highlights: Half Day City Tour with Landmark & Viewpoint: $20
Tours and Activities in Bagan
Here are a few actual costs in Bagan for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Day Cruise Bagan to Mandalay: $31
- Old Bagan Sightseeing Tour: $43
- Old Bagan Biking Tour - Half Day (Guide included): $45
- Private Bagan Cultural Tour: $46
- Best Bagan One Day Tour With Tour Guide: $48
- Visiting Mount Popa from Bagan - Private Tour: $48
- Private Day Tour to Mt Popa: $48
- Full Day tour In Bagan UNESCO World Heritage: $50
- BAGAN TEMPLES FULL DAY GUIDED BY ELECTRIC BIKE ( Private Tour ): $64
- Tuk Tuk tour to Mt. Popa: $67
- Private Day Adventure Trip in Bagan: $71
- Full day Adventure Trip in Bagan with Tuk Tuk: $72
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayPhuket $7.05Bagan -
Typical Alcohol Prices in Phuket
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Phuket from other travelers:
-
Cocktails (for Two)$6.05
-
Beer$2.57
Sample the Local Flavors in Phuket
Also in Phuket, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl Rooftop, Bars, GoGo & 3 Clubs with Shots: $15
- Phuket Guided Pub Crawl: $29
- Bar Crawl Tour: $29
- Cocktail Workshop with Distillery Visit & Tasting: $39
- Chalong Bay Rum Distillery Experience and Lunch: $53
- Phuket Real City Tour with Rum Cocktail Distillery: $88
- Big Buddha & The Distillery Phuket: $134
- Phuket Rum Distillery Cocktail Workshop And Wat Chalong Temple: $172
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Phuket and Bagan, we can see that Phuket is more expensive. And not only is Bagan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Bagan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bagan and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Phuket would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Phuket than you might in Bagan.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Phuket Expensive? and Is Bagan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Phuket or Bagan?
Phuket has a larger population, and is about 300 times larger than the population of Bagan. When comparing the sizes of Phuket and Bagan, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.